Nairn banker murder: Top law chief ordered new inquiry after '150 points of concern' in police investigation

A complete reinvestigation of the murder of Nairn banker Alistair Wilson was ordered after more than 150 'concerns' were highlighted in a review of the evidence gathered in the previous police inquiry.

The last probe into the killing, which has been unsolved for two decades, was carried out in recent years by detectives based in the North-East of Scotland and saw a possible motive established for the first time.

We told previously how police had planned to arrest a suspect in May last year so they could be detained for questioning.

However, the arrest was abandoned at the last moment, much to the distress of Mr Wilson's family, leading to the inquiry hitting a complete impasse.

It can now be disclosed that prosecutors who assessed the ­latest police probe raised more than 150 'points of concern' requiring potential follow-up action.

It meant senior Crown Office officials felt they had no option but to order a fresh investigation, involving an entirely new police team, in a move which has potentially set the hunt for the killer back years and caused huge distress to Mr Wilson's family.

A source said: 'There were more than 150 queries and points which raised concern and it indicated that a great deal of work still required to be carried out.'

Father-of-two Mr Wilson was shot dead on his doorstep in the quiet Highland town on the evening of November 28, 2004, in a crime which shocked Scotland.

With the 20th anniversary of his death approaching, Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain issued a statement this month announcing that a 'cold-case' probe will take place.

This, in turn, led to a statement from Mr Wilson's family in which they stated they had 'no confidence' in the police.

They also hit out last week after Chief Constable Jo Farrell refused to meet them to discuss the case.

We told previously how the family are angry that another senior officer, Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Livingstone, remains in post after their complaint against him was upheld.

Police Scotland's Professional Standards Department ruled that Mr Livingstone lied to the family by denying that a specific date had been identified for the arrest of a suspect last May.

The family has declined to comment further, but a source close to them said: 'They have waited two decades, so to find out there has had to be a complete reinvestigation has been quite devastating.

'Police don't seem able to grasp the scale of the incompetence here. Instead, all the family have had is continued pressure not to speak out unless the police give permission. They have had enough.

'The police have always seemed interested in controlling the message first, with gathering evidence and building a cogent case coming a distant second. It is the family's wish that the suspect is detained for questioning as a matter of urgency, in order that this person is ruled out or otherwise.'

The initial investigations, first by Northern Constabulary in 2004 then by Police Scotland in 2013, failed to make any significant progress or even establish a motive.

Inquiries carried out in recent years then saw detectives travel to Canada to interview a witness.

Police also declared the motive was believed to be linked to a row over decking being constructed at the Havelock Hotel, across the road from Mr Wilson's house.

Meanwhile, descriptions were issued of possible suspects, two men – one believed to have had a gun – seen on the beach near the crime scene, but no breakthrough was forthcoming.

The family said in a statement this month: 'Our relationship with the police has steadily deteriorated because of unresolved and ongoing issues.

'Poor judgment and lack of accountability at the highest ­levels has regrettably eroded any trust we have in their ability to secure justice for Alistair.'

Mr Wilson, 30, was shot when a man called at the family's home and spoke to his wife Veronica, who had answered the door, and asked for her husband.

Mr Wilson went to speak to the man and was handed a blue envelope with 'Paul' written on it. He went inside briefly then returned to the door where he was shot.

The gun used, a Haenel Suhl ­pistol from the 1930s, was missed in the initial police search and was recovered from a nearby drain by a council worker ten days later.

The Crown Office said: 'A new team of prosecutors and police officers will work on the full cold-case investigation.'

Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson said: 'Officers remain determined to identify Alistair's killer.'